Kingston University

BA (Hons) Social Work

Improve lives and make a positive impact

Studying Social Work at Kingston will give you a strong foundation for a career with the potential to change lives for the better. Social workers are highly sought after, and this qualification will open opportunities in the statutory, voluntary and private sectors. You could even be part of an integrated interprofessional team in social care, health, education or criminal justice.

Throughout the course, you’ll benefit from our Developing Together teaching partnership with seven local authorities and two voluntary organisations. Through this, you’ll attend skills workshops to maximise your chances of employment when you graduate.

You’ll gain hands-on experience of social work while building essential knowledge of ethics, diversity, psychology, sociology, social policy and law. You’ll study everything from mental health, disability, adoption and fostering to substance misuse, youth justice and domestic violence.

During the programme, you’ll learn directly from people with lived experience. Practising teaching consultants will also bring theory to life with front-line experiences.

Through a blend of placements, simulated learning and classroom teaching, you’ll develop the skills, values and knowledge you need to make an impact as a qualified social worker.

Why choose this course?

While you study, you’ll benefit from top quality teaching at Kingston University. Not only are we ranked Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework, we’re also top in London for Social Work (Guardian University Guide 2025).We collaborate across Kingston University and with external organisations to solve social care issues, which means you’ll have the chance to try out your learning on real-life problems.

A portion of your learning will take place in our specialist Art Room, which replicates a secondary school classroom. The Art Room gives you a unique opportunity to learn a range of creative practices for values-based work with children and young people.

You’ll also have the opportunity to refine your skills in our purpose-built Practice Learning Suite, which simulates interactions with people with lived experience.

Outside of the University, you’ll spend time applying your learning on placements in South West London and Surrey. Placements will be in settings such as child protection, youth justice, mental health, vulnerable adults settings, schools, drugs and substance misuse services.

Alongside your placements, you’ll study assessment, intervention, evaluation, safeguarding, evidence-based practice, research and law. This focus on real-world learning will leave you expertly prepared for social work practice in field, residential, day care, hospital, prison and service user-run settings.

Accreditation

This course is accredited by Social Work England. On successful completion of this course, you’ll be able to apply to register with Social Work England to work as a qualified social worker.